Everyone from air traffic controllers to marriage counselors will tell you just how important it is to communicate. Staying in touch is even more vital when you're in the great outdoors, and nothing gets the job done as well as two-way radios. With this two-way radio buying guide, you will learn how to buy two-way radios that meet your needs and complement the rest of your camping and outdoor gear.
Two-way radios have come a long way since the days of the massive walkie talkies used in the 1940s and '50s. Today's units are lightweight, efficient and inexpensive, making them perfect for a variety of uses. Whether you want a set of two-way radios to add to your camping equipment, to use while hiking or biking or just to stay in touch while you're shopping at the mall, these handy devices will get the job done. Knowing how you will use your radios will help you select the ones with the features you need.
There are two bands used most commonly for two-way radios. They are the Family Radio Service (FRS) band and the General Mobile Radio Service (GMRS) band. To operate a radio on the GMRS band, which has a longer range and is more powerful than the FRS band, you will need a license from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Because of that, most two-way radios operate on the FRS band, which can be used by anyone with no licensing involved.
When you shop for two-way radios, make sure you check the description to see what the maximum operating range is for the units. The range of a radio transmitter is directly proportional to its power or wattage. Some units can communicate with each other over much longer distances than others. If you will need to communicate over great distances -- more than five miles, for example -- you will want to choose radios that operate on the GMRS band, while distances of up to a few miles can be achieved by FRS band radios.
Keep this in mind about the distances claimed in the description: Those distances are for "line of sight" usage, meaning how far the units can communicate with no barriers between the users. A set of radios that have a range of five miles will only do so in an open field. When you introduce obstacles such as trees, buildings and mountains, a radio with a five-mile range will only be effective for a mile or two at most. Choose a range that will serve your purposes, and remember that the longer the range, the more you will pay for the radios.
The technology used in two-way radios is very similar to that employed by AM and FM radios. A radio transmitter uses an alternating current that oscillates rapidly -- up to a million times per second -- for the creation of radio waves, and it is the rate of the oscillation that determines the frequency, or channel, on which the radio operates.
While GMRS radios have up to 23 channels, FRS radios can have as many as 14 channels. Generally speaking, the higher the quality of the radio, the more channels it will be designed to broadcast and receive on. Inexpensive radios can have as few as two channels available. The reason multiple channels are important is that it allows communication between your parties without interference from others with two-way radios in the area.
If basic communication is all you're looking for, almost any set of two-way radios will meet your needs. However, if you want more sophisticated communication options, there are radios that incorporate many high-tech features that you're sure to appreciate.
Sub-channels: Higher end two-way radios are equipped with sub-channel tuners. These break each channel into 38 sub-channels, which enables you to fine-tune the frequency on which you communicate. If your FRS radio has the maximum 14 channels available, with sub-channels, you will have 532 potential frequencies on which to talk.
Privacy codes: Oddly enough, privacy codes do not guarantee the privacy of your conversation, but they do greatly reduce the chance that others will interrupt your conversation. Privacy codes involve picking a predetermined channel and code on which to communicate with other parties, and only those tuned into that channel and code can hear each other. Parties not using the privacy code, however, can still hear your conversation, although they cannot join in unless they select the same privacy code as you. Even though your conversation is not secure with privacy codes, it does offer the opportunity to communicate on a chatter-free frequency.
Weather channels: Many higher end two-way radios also feature access to weather channels. These channels are broadcast by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and can alert you automatically if bad weather or other hazards are headed your way.
Battery types: Some two-way radios are powered by regular alkaline batteries, while others feature rechargeable batteries that come with charging units. If you plan to be using your radios for more than a few days, units featuring regular batteries are your best bet, since you may not be near areas where you could recharge your unit's batteries. Most battery manufacturers will list predicted battery life, which is determined by assuming five percent transmission, five percent reception and 90 percent standby.
Other common features available:
A lock key ensures your unit stays on the same channel during use.
Auto squelch keeps the radio silent except when a signal is received.
Last channel recall acts like a redial button on your phone.
A backlit LCD readout makes for easy reading of the display -- even at night.
Auto channel scan will scan all channels and sub-channels for signals.
Jacks allow for headsets, speakers and microphones.
Why are the ranges of two-way radios often overstated?
Power output is measured in two ways: constant output and peak output. The peak output number is the output available under ideal laboratory conditions. The constant output is a more reliable guide for what to expect from the unit. A radio capable of a constant power output of one watt may actually perform better than a radio rated at 5 watts of peak power, for example.
I have a GMRS two-way radio but only plan to use it to communicate with friends using FRS radios. Is it legal for me to do that without an FCC license?
Yes, as long as you only transmit on FRS frequencies. On GMRS radios, channels 8 through 14 are FRS-only frequencies, and because of this, you can operate on those channels without a license.
Do some two-way radios operate on both regular batteries and rechargeable batteries?
Yes. Some radios have the capability to use both types of batteries. When choosing which type of battery to use, determine how long you will be using the unit without the ability to recharge batteries. Even if you're using rechargeable batteries, you can always keep some alkaline batteries on hand to switch to if you need them. Remember that batteries don't last as long in cold weather!
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